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Is It Dangerous To Drive With Broken Glass?
While it can depend on the level of damage on the windshield, it is not recommended to drive a vehicle that has compromised glass. There are many safety issues that can arise while driving with cracked glass, many of these scenarios ending with bodily harm or serious injuries. It’s important that you have any damage assessed by a licensed glass expert as soon as possible, to ensure your safety and so the damage does not spread. Be sure to never place tape or glue products over any cracks, as this can lead to more issues and expensive repairs. Read below to learn more about how a vehicle’s windshield can affect safety and why driving with cracked glass is so dangerous.
Learn The Importance Of Structural Integrity
Structural integrity is essentially the strength of the vehicle to resist damage during impact, accidents, and other damaging scenarios. One of the main elements that can affect the structural integrity of your car is the windshield, as it provides incredible strength and resistance during impact. This means that during an accident where there is front-end impact or even a rollover, the frame of the vehicle may become warped and cause the entire roof to collapse. Roof collapse is extremely dangerous and can leave you trapped in the vehicle or with fatal injuries.
Cracked Glass Can Shatter
While it may seem like driving with a small area of cracked glass is no big deal, this is simply untrue and dangerous. When you drive a car with a cracked or chipped windshield, it can lead to serious situations like the crack spreading into your vision or the entire windshield shattering in towards you and your passengers. With cracks, one of the main concerns is the damage spreading before repairs are conducted and affecting your line of sight. Cracks can spread without warning due to bumps in the road, fluctuating temperatures, and changing levels of moisture in the air. If you are in an accident or need to brake suddenly, the entire glass can shatter from this force and fly in towards you and your passengers. This can lead to serious injuries from the impact and shards of glass.
The Different Types of Windshield Damages
No two windshields will suffer the same damage, which is why it’s so important to have any issues evaluated by a licensed glass professional as soon as possible. There are several different types of damage that can occur to a windshield, each with its own unique set of challenges and setbacks. Thankfully, most of these issues can be solved with simple repairs or a replacement of the glass.
Windshield Cracks
Windshield cracks are extremely common but serious, as they can affect the structural integrity of the glass. The challenge with cracks is that the area can start small but spread quickly and without warning. As these areas spread, the pattern can almost mimic a spider-web, making it extremely difficult to see through the glass. The method of repair or replacement for windshield cracks will depend on the severity of the crack, size of the area, and location of the damage.
Windshield Chips
Chips are a common occurrence for glass windshields because they can be caused by a variety of sources. It’s common for flying debris from other vehicles or hail from weather events to cause chips in a windshield, though these types of issues are often easy for professionals to repair. There are two levels of chips that can occur, which are minor chips and severe chips. Minor chips only affect the outermost layer of the glass and can be easily repaired by filling the small area. Severe chips are sometimes irreparable and will require a complete glass replacement.
How Do They Repair Windshield Damage?
With each scenario being unique, it’s difficult to determine how the licensed professionals will repair your specific level of glass damage. Factors that can affect repairs include the severity of the damage, location of the damage, and the type of damage. For instance, minor chips to the outer layer of the glass may be able to be repaired, while severe cracks can warrant an entire windshield replacement. It can be difficult to determine which action is best for your windshield if you are unfamiliar with glasswork, so be sure to reach out to a company like Scottsdale Windshield for assistance.
Choose A Reputable Company
Your safety is important, which is why it’s important to choose a reliable and reputable company to complete any windshield repairs on your vehicle. It’s important to select a local company that is approved by your insurance company, has positive reviews, and holds the proper licensing to handle windshield replacements. For drivers local to the Scottsdale, Arizona area, Scottsdale Windshield is the number one choice for mobile windshield services.